Beyond the Bulldog

Mile Marker 25 – Taming Truck Insurance with Jared Sweeney (Cottingham & Butler)

Jared Sweeney, Vice President, Transportation Group at Cottingham & Butler, joins Beyond the Bulldog to demystify trucking insurance—why costs keep climbing and what fleets can actually control.
Jared breaks down:
-What drives premium increases and how underwriters assess risk (claims history, CSA profile, routes, driver pool)
-Practical ways to lower total cost: top-down safety culture, spec and maintenance discipline, dash cams, smarter deductibles
-Group captives 101: when they fit mid-size fleets, how loss funds work, and why dividends are possible
-Navigating a volatile market: telling a credible safety story to carriers and avoiding jurisdictional “hellholes”
-Why cameras protect drivers and accelerate fair claims outcomes
-Key takeaways from Cottingham & Butler’s Transportation Summit that leaders can apply immediately
Whether you run 10 trucks or 1,000, this episode gives you actionable strategies to manage risk—not just buy insurance.
 
What’s next?
Tune in weekly for new episodes!
Visit the Mack Shop to use your discount code:
https://mackshop.com/
Book a virtual truck tour!
https://www.macktrucks.com/live-tour/

Mile Marker 24 – Women Drive the Industry: Ingrid Brown on Opportunity & Advocacy

In her second of three appearances, Ingrid Brown—46-year professional driver, Operations Manager at Blackjack Express, and long-time Women In Trucking (WIT) board member—joins Beyond the Bulldog to talk about how women are shaping every corner of trucking.
 
Ingrid discusses:
-The real challenges women face on the road—and why clear, accurate communication beats stereotypes
-How WIT supports drivers: mentorship, scholarships, the Whitney education trailer, image team, and recognition programs
-Mental health on the road: reducing isolation, knowing when to ask for help, and building support systems
-Equipment and ergonomics: practical fixes and why design matters for every body
-Career paths beyond the cab: mechanics, safety, dispatch, brokerage, leadership—and how women thrive across the industry
 
With candor and humor, Ingrid shows how inclusion, mentorship, and equal standards make fleets safer, stronger, and more resilient.
 
What’s next?
Tune in weekly for new episodes!
 
Learn more about Women in Trucking:
https://www.womenintrucking.org/
 
Visit the Mack Shop to use your discount code:
https://mackshop.com/
 
Book a virtual truck tour!
https://www.macktrucks.com/live-tour/

Mile Marker 23 – Protecting the Protectors: Jason Johnson on Project K9 Hero

In this episode of Beyond the Bulldog, we sit down with Jason Johnson, Founder and CEO of Project K9 Hero, a nonprofit dedicated to caring for retired military, police, and fire service dogs. From his early days as a U.S. Army MP and federal K9 instructor to launching a nationwide program, Jason shares his mission to give these canine heroes the care and dignity they deserve after service.
Jason discusses:
His journey from soldier to police officer to federal K9 instructor
The stories of heroism behind dogs like Sergeant Yeager and K9 Chief
How Project K9 Hero provides medical care, rehabilitation, and rehoming for retired service dogs
The organization’s capital campaign to expand its Tennessee rehabilitation and sanctuary facility
 
With over 350 dogs served since 2016, Jason and his team are ensuring that America’s four-legged heroes live out their lives with honor, comfort, and care.
 
What's next?
Tune in weekly for new episodes!
 
Visit the Mack Shop to use your discount code:
https://mackshop.com/
 
Book a virtual truck tour!
https://www.macktrucks.com/live-tour/

Mile Marker 22 – AI, Freight Resilience, and Load Finder with Amit Ahluwalia

In this episode of Beyond the Bulldog, we sit down with Amit Alhuwalia, co-founder of Class8, to explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping trucking operations and helping fleets build resilience in both strong and weak markets. Amit discusses: -How Class8 applies AI to fleet data to drive smarter business decisions -Why resilience matters during today’s extended freight recession -How Load Finder, offered through Mack Trucks, helps drivers and fleets secure smarter backhauls and optimize profitability With his deep background in logistics, technology, and trucking, Amit brings a fresh perspective on how practical AI tools can empower both owner-operators and large fleets to thrive in an unpredictable industry.  What's next? Tune in weekly for new episodes! Visit the Mack Shop to use your discount code: https://mackshop.com/ Book a virtual truck tour! https://www.macktrucks.com/live-tour/

Mile Marker 21 – Life on the Road and Building Strong Teams with Ingrid Brown

In this episode of Beyond the Bulldog, we sit down with Ingrid Brown, professional driver and Operations Manager at Blackjack Express, LLC. With more than four decades behind the wheel, Ingrid shares her journey from starting out as an owner-operator to now leading drivers in refrigerated transport. Ingrid discusses: -Why culture and trust matter more than shiny trucks when it comes to retaining drivers -The realities of life on the road and how mentorship helps new drivers succeed -What she looks for when hiring drivers and building a strong team at Blackjack Express Ingrid’s story highlights both the grit of trucking and the importance of people-first leadership in keeping America’s freight moving.What's next? Tune in weekly for new episodes! Visit the Mack Shop to use your discount code: https://mackshop.com/ Book a virtual truck tour! https://www.macktrucks.com/live-tour/

Mile Marker 20 – Life in the Fast Lane: Gary Moneypenny on Trucking, Racing, and Relationships

In this episode of Beyond the Bulldog, we sit down with Gary Moneypenny, CDL transport driver with Jackson Motorsports. From hauling tires in the desert to delivering Aston Martin race parts across America, Gary shares the unique life of a motorsports truck driver — where the job is only 30% driving and 70% building relationships, solving problems, and representing the brand. Gary discusses: -How he went from oil rigs to his first CDL job with BFGoodrich -The evolution from off-road racing to road courses — and why the tires mean everything -Why trucking in motorsports is more about relationships, service, and image than just the miles -Stories from the paddock: Paul Newman, celebrity hauls, and lessons in generosity With humor, humility, and heart, Gary shows how trucking isn’t just about moving freight — it’s about representing a brand, serving a community, and creating stories that last a lifetime.  What's next?Tune in weekly for new episodes! Visit the Mack Shop to use your discount code: https://mackshop.com/ Book a virtual truck tour! https://www.macktrucks.com/live-tour/

Mile Marker 19 – Building Military-Ready Trucks with David Hartzell

In this episode of Beyond the Bulldog, we sit down with David Hartzell, President & CEO of Mack Defense. With a career spanning decades at Mack Trucks, David brings his engineering expertise and leadership to the front lines of defense, delivering mission-ready vehicles that keep troops safe at home and abroad. David discusses: -The history of Mack’s role in supporting the U.S. military for over 100 years -How Mack Defense adapts rugged commercial platforms like the Granite into military-spec vehicles -The unique engineering challenges of armoring, off-road capability, and survivability in combat zones -Why Mack Defense exists as a separate entity and the security clearances required to serve military customers With passion and pride, David shows how Mack Defense carries forward the bulldog spirit—ensuring every vehicle is built to protect those who serve. What's Next?Visit the Mack Defense website: https://mackdefense.com/Visit the Mack Shop to use your discount code: https://mackshop.com/ Book a virtual truck tour! https://www.macktrucks.com/live-tour/

Mile Marker 18 – Inside a DOT Stop with Master Trooper Scott Baker

In this episode of Beyond the Bulldog, we sit down with Master Trooper Scott Baker of the North Carolina State Highway Patrol. With more than two decades of experience in commercial vehicle enforcement, Baker shares practical insights on inspections, crash prevention, and how technology is reshaping road safety.Scott discusses: -What really happens during Level 1, 2, and 3 DOT inspections -How pre-trip discipline and good habits prevent most violations -The rise of AI camera systems spotting distracted driving and seatbelt misuse -Crash patterns troopers see daily — and how drivers can stay out of them With a focus on education over punishment, Baker emphasizes that inspections aren’t about writing tickets — they’re about keeping drivers, fleets, and the public safe. What's next? Guilty By Association Truck Show https://www.4statetrucks.com/guilty-b... Visit the Mack Shop to use your discount code: https://mackshop.com/ Book a virtual truck tour! https://www.macktrucks.com/live-tour/

Mile Marker 17 – Fighting for Fairness in Trucking with Ben Greenberg

In his second appearance on Beyond the Bulldog, Ben Greenberg, President & CEO of the North Carolina Trucking Association, returns to share critical updates on advocacy, legislation, and the everyday challenges facing truckers. Ben discusses: -How NCTA successfully fought back against predatory towing and booting practices -Updates on CARB rules, greenhouse gas legislation, and their impact on fleets -The medical certification reporting crisis leaving thousands of drivers sidelined -Why telling the real stories of trucking is the key to shaping fair policies With his background as a lawyer and his leadership at NCTA, Ben brings clarity to complex regulatory issues and shows how trucking associations empower both small fleets and large carriers. What's next? Visit NC Trucking Association to learn more: https://www.nctrucking.com/ Visit the Mack Shop to use your discount code: https://mackshop.com/ Book a virtual truck tour! https://www.macktrucks.com/live-tour/

Mile Marker 16 – Driving Change: Rick Cates on Safety, Training, and the Future of Trucking

In this episode of Beyond the Bulldog, we sit down with Rick Cates, Senior Consultant at Rick Cates Trucking, to talk about what it really takes to keep drivers — and the public — safe on the road. With decades of experience, Rick shares his journey from behind the wheel to leading one of the largest safety programs in the Southeast. We discuss: -The evolving role of safety directors in a changing industry -How technology, training, and culture work together to reduce risk -Why investing in people is just as important as investing in equipment Rick also offers practical advice for drivers, trainers, and fleet managers on building a safety-first mindset that can change not just a company, but an entire industry.What's next? Visit the Mack Shop to use your discount code: https://mackshop.com/ Book a virtual truck tour! https://www.macktrucks.com/live-tour/